Willow Court, the former Asylum Precinct, with Military and Convict Hospital, New Norfolk

Imminent risk of deterioration

·         Integral part of one of Tasmania’s three great colonial institutions

·         Earliest surviving example of convict hospital built in distinctive Colonial Georgian Palladian barracks style “Frescatti”

·         Includes rare building methods, such as brick nogging and 19C pre-fabricated timber Hall

·         Subject to vandalism and theft including original Blackwood staircase being used for skateboarding

Originally built as a picturesque villa designed by John Lee Archer, Willow Court is the earliest building in the Willow Court precinct which is part of the larger Royal Derwent Hospital. Retaining many original classic colonial features, it still has potential to be adapted to viable commercial or government use.

THREAT:

The building has been unoccupied for some time and is subject to neglect and vandalism. Security is difficult and protection of the site is beyond the capacity of the local government authority.

DESIRED OUTCOME/VISION:

State Government support is needed to conserve Willow Court so that its heritage values are retained but which allow it to be adaptively re-used as a viable commercial or government undertaking.

FATE/OUTCOME:

Suffering